By: Marisa Geitner, president & C.E.O. of Heritage Christian Services
Welcome 2015 -- and welcome to an opportunity for renewal! Why? Because there is no more important time to serve and this kind of work requires renewal.
If you, like me, struggle to find your inner 'umph' from time to time, let me remind you the need for support continues to grow, not only among those with developmental disabilities but among all- our youth and elders alike.
The support each person wants continues to broaden. Parents are no longer accepting the short comings of school age educational plans, adults no longer accepting "one size fits all" program solutions and elders demanding respectful care in their home rather than placement into a home.
The systems that must be established to ensure that care industries achieve better individual outcome with better health and lifestyle options, must also be rebuilt in a manner that allows us to serve the number in need- not just the number who have made it inside the front door.
We have to look forward and plan for solutions that will serve us well for years to come. That’s why we are collaborating differently and working actively with our Health Care providers to break down redundant systems and achieve better support for those with chronic care needs.
I am reminded of a Maya Angelou quote that I keep nearby, "Strong women and strong men... protect the children, tend the ailing, care for the aged, and in fact, reassure the entire world."
When faced with a challenge, it sometimes comes down to two questions- "If not us, then who?" "If not now, then when?"
Then we take a deep breath and take a step.
